Our Instructors and Coaches
Our instructors are fully qualified and accredited by Surf Life Saving GB (SLSGB), including certified coaches and assistant instructors. Each member of our instruction team has completed recognised SLSGB training and holds the appropriate qualifications for their role.
Training sessions are delivered according to instructor level, experience, and specialism, ensuring that all members receive safe, age-appropriate, and high-quality coaching. From entry-level programmes to more advanced and competitive pathways, our instructors are committed to supporting skill development, confidence, and progression at every stage.
Supported by assistant instructors and volunteers, our team creates a positive, structured, and encouraging learning environment, placing safety, professionalism, and member development at the heart of everything we do.
Level 2 Instructors ｜
Provide leadership, guidance, and quality oversight, supporting instructor development and maintaining high training standards.
Coach｜Trainer Assessor｜Trustee of SLS Devon
Dave Manley
Dave Manley has been coaching with the club since its early days, growing alongside its members from the very beginning. His coaching focuses not only on lifesaving skills and performance, but on building confidence, resilience, and respect for the ocean. Dave believes everyone has the potential to grow through surf lifesaving, and warmly invites children and young people of all abilities to join the club, learn new skills, challenge themselves, and become part of a supportive, passionate community.
Coach | Lifeguard
Claire
Claire has been a part of the club since 2018, when her daughters joined. One of which progressed through the club and is now a fully qualified Surf Lifeguard. Seeing how much fun they were having whilst being taught such valuable skills she decided to take a more active role.
She now volunteers as a Level 2 SLSGB Coach and is a SLSGB Lifeguard. The last three years she has be coaching the new Nippers as they join the club. Helping them build confidence, develop vital lifesaving skills and knowledge and gain a respect for the sea – all within a fun supportive environment.
She firmly believes that every child should have the opportunity to learn and experience the sea, which is why she is also involved in delivering schemes for underprivileged children.
Outside of coaching she enjoys spending as much time as possible either in or on the water; swimming, boarding, sailing. ‘It’s my happy place’!
Coach | Lifeguard | SLS Devon official
Liam
A swimmer and surfer, Liam holds Level 2 SLSGB Coach and SLSGB Lifeguard qualifications. He has spent over seven years working with the club, supporting the Nipper lifesaver pathway and competition squad training. With his own children progressing through the club.
He enjoys working with improvers of all ages, with a simple philosophy: have fun and be better than yesterday — building confidence, consistency, and capability in and out of the water over time.
He is currently training the Masters squad.
Coach | Lifeguard
Richard
Richard was a competitive swimmer and keen body boarder throughout childhood and teenage years. He was a keen canoeist in his youth too. Richard got involved in scuba diving whilst abroad and continued back in the uk achieving Divemaster qualification taking part and organising diving trips around Devon, Cornwall and the Red Sea. Richard raced Triathlon for over 20 years across all distances. He has spent a lot of time racing bikes, although not very well!
Richard loves being in, under or on the Ocean. He is very keen to help the Nippers step outside of their comfort zones and push themselves in the sport of surf life saving.
Coach | Lifeguard
Alex
Joined as a helper in the club’s first season in 2013, qualified as surf lifeguard in 2014 and Lead Coach since then. Committee member for inclusivity – enabling local kids who aren’t members to experience surf life saving. Average surfer, not-bad swimmer, love the sea and this club.
Coach
Sean Priestley
Sean moved to Sidmouth in 2006, via London and New Zealand and discovered the Sidmouth Surf Life Saving Club when his son joined a few years later. He started his coaching journey by being the post his son’s group swam around in the sea, then encouraged by Robin he progressed through Board and Tube and then onto Level 1 and then Level 2 coaching courses. Sean absolutely loves being in the water with his group on Saturdays mornings and finds their energy and enthusiasm both infectious and refreshing. The club promotes a brilliant mixture of physical exercise in a challenging environment alongside first aid and other practical skills. It is a great village to help bring up your children!
Level 1 Instructors｜
Deliver structured coaching sessions under guidance, focusing on core skills, safety, and confidence-building appropriate to each age group.
Coach｜Trainer Assessor
Ross
Ross is a keen kitesurfer, paddle-boarder and longboard surfer and currently has two sons in the club. He joined Sidmouth SLSC at the start of the 2022 beach season, initially in a water safety/assistant coach role, before leading his own group through Lifesaver Pathway Gold, Rescue Board and Tube Rescuer qualifications.
For the last 3 years Ross has been the club’s Nipper pool training lead & competition squad team manager, helping to develop Nipper pool-based competition skills during the off-season.
More recently Ross has been involved with coaching the Nipper ocean competition squad, as well as training parent volunteers in water safety skills. He also competed at the Devon Masters Ocean Championship for the first time in 2025.
Ross has gained SLSGB water safety and coaching qualifications with the club and has recently qualified as a probationary Trainer Assessor, eventually allowing him to train and assess prospective lifeguards.
Ross was awarded the highly-coveted ‘Coach’s Coach of the Year’ award in 2025 which he’s extremely modest about…
Coach｜Trustee of Devon SLS
Franki
Franki has had the pleasure of being involved in surf lifesaving since her daughter started with the club. Taking an active interest in supporting roles has provided opportunities to be involved and help in many ways, from supplying water and beach cover at events and competition training, assistant coaching, line judging, time keeping and most importantly giving 100% kudos to the wonderful children and young people who are willing to get into the sea every week and learn about how to save lives. Having coached across different sports in different countries, Franki brings a broad skill set, adaptability, and a strong focus on inclusion and teamwork both on and off the beach. Franki is also a Trustee of Devon SLS.
Coach｜Board & Rescue Tube Qualifications
Charlotte
Charlotte is a mum of two boys in the club and a nurse by profession. She first became involved with the club when her eldest started in 2019 and has gradually taken on a more active role over the years. She currently serves as Treasurer (since January 2025), as well as an assistant coach and water safety volunteer, and is passionate about supporting the club’s young athletes and wider community.
Coach｜Board & Rescue Tube Qualifications
Jake
Gear Steward and level 1 coach
5 years involved in Sidmouth SLSC
Surfed 30+ years
Grew up North Devon
Favourite surf break Putsborough (P Land)
Coach｜Board & Rescue Tube Qualifications
Annette
Annette joined SSLSC in 2022 when her daughter joined the Nippers. In 2024 her son also joined. It was then that Annette became part of the water safety crew completing her Tube and Board Rescue qualification as well as becoming a Level 1 Assistant Coach to help support the club.
Annette is a midwife and mentors student midwives. Before this, Annette was a Fitness Instructor teaching aerobics, circuits, stretch classes, GP referral programs and dance. She was also a choreographer and trampoline coach.
Annette loves being in, on or under the water.
In the past she was a National Dragon Boat champion and a scuba diver.
Annette took on the role of Club Secretary late 2024 and wants to help this fabulous club grow from strength to strength.
Coach｜Board & Rescue Tube Qualifications
Aaran Eade
Aaran has been involved in Sidmouth SLSC as a group helper for 6-7yrs when his son joined the club. He holds the SLSGB Tube & Board Rescue qualification.
Aaran spent 22yrs with the Army in the Army Physical Training Corps and has a BSc (Hons) in Sports Rehab and a MSc in Strength & Conditioning.
Since leaving the Army in 2010, Aaran set up the ‘Quay Climbing Centre’ and Europe’s first Clip n Climb in Exeter.
In 2014 Aaran started a new climbing company called ‘Rock Up’ opening seven centres across the UK.
In Dec 2024 he also opened ‘Boulder Exe’ a bouldering centre in Exeter.
Aaran’s interests include cycling, being in the sea, climbing, walking up mountains, skiing and snowboarding.
Aaran recently became a ‘Yeoman of the King’s Guard’.
Coach｜Board & Rescue Tube Qualifications
Akira
Youth development training nurtures leadership, self-discipline, and resilience, preparing members to take on responsibility within the club and beyond. Coaches encourage older members to mentor younger ones, fostering a culture of support, respect, and collaboration. Training focuses not only on physical skill but also on personal growth, helping members develop communication, teamwork, and decision-making abilities. The aim is to cultivate well-rounded individuals who can inspire and guide others while pursuing their own personal and athletic goals.
Coach｜Board & Rescue Tube Qualifications
Mat
Mat is a SLSGB Level 1 coach and has been coaching for three years, teaching the Nipper lifesaver bronze and silver awards.
He is also part of the Sidmouth SLS Masters squad, competing in the swimming and board events at the last two Devon championships held at Exmouth and Saunton.
Mat’s passion is surfing, and over the last 25 years he has travelled across world in search of challenging waves to ride. This has given Mat the skills and experience needed to thrive in extreme ocean conditions. Mat trains year-round for surfing bigger waves, which includes regular board paddles along the coast, running, strength training and apnea drills.
As a coach, Mat balances the prescribed curriculum of the lifesaving awards with a focus on recognising risk and building individual confidence in the water. Through this, Mat hopes each nipper will learn the skills to make the ocean playground a safer place for everyone.
Assistant Instructors ｜
Support qualified instructors during sessions, helping with group supervision, practical activities, and member support while gaining experience and working towards formal qualifications.
Assistant Coach
Pete Fletcher
Pete was involved with surf life saving in West Wales in his teenage years, so he is delighted to be back in the water and supporting his daughter on her surf life saving journey.
Pete joined Sidmouth SLS club in 2024 when his daughter joined the Nipper pathway. He has since been parent helper with her group as well as supporting the Competition Squad in training and at competitions.
Pete has always been into sports of one sort or another throughout his life. It is not unusual to spot him running up and down the coast path or on the moors! He has also competed in Triathlon.
Assistant Coach
Alex
Water confidence coaching focuses on helping members overcome fear, develop trust, and build skills in a variety of aquatic environments. Coaches provide structured exercises to gradually introduce challenges, allowing members to progress safely and enjoyably. Emphasis is placed on understanding currents, waves, and water conditions, alongside personal skill development. This approach nurtures resilience, courage, and enjoyment of the ocean, instilling a lifelong appreciation for water safety and outdoor activity.
Assistant Coach
Alec
Coaches emphasize holistic development, encouraging members to grow physically, mentally, and socially. Training sessions combine skill-building with fun challenges that inspire curiosity and creativity, helping members discover their potential. Members learn to take pride in their achievements, respect their peers, and embrace challenges as opportunities to grow stronger and more confident.
Assistant Coach
Jake
Rescue techniques and practical lifesaving scenarios are central to the training program, teaching responsibility, alertness, and the ability to assist others effectively. Members practice both individual and team-based rescues, simulating real-life situations to develop competence and confidence. Coaches emphasize the importance of quick thinking, safety, and clear communication, helping members understand the value of preparation and foresight. Through hands-on experiences, members gain not only technical skills but also a strong sense of empathy and commitment to helping others.
